A 


UNDER  THE  CARE 
OF  THE 

Board  of 
foreign  Missions 
of  the 

Presbyterian 

Church 


Historical 
Sketch 0,lh' 
missions  in 
Korea  ■* 


Sixth  Edition 

vREVfSEO) 


The  IU ©man’s  Toreign 
missionary  Society  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Ulilherspoon  Building, 
Philadelphia  : (909 


Price.  10  Cents 


UNDER  THE  CARE 

Board  of 
foreign  Missions 
of  the 

Presbyterian 

Church 

Historical 
Sketch 01 "" 
(Missions  in 
Korea  s 

» 

Sixth  Edition 

(REVISED) 

The  UJoman’s  foreign 
missionary  Society  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Witherspoon  Building, 
Philadelphia  : 1909 

KOREA 


KOREA  consists  of  a stretch  of  peninsular  mainland, 
together  with  numerous  adjacent  and  inhabited  islands. 
The  entire  territory  covers  80,000  square  miles,  lying 
between  340  and  430  north  latitude;  and  extending  from 
1250  to  1290  of  east  longitude.  Its  physical  configuration 
somewhat  resembles  that  of  Italy.  The  coast  line  is  1,740 
miles.  On  the  north  flow  the  rivers  Ya-lu  and  Tu-men, 
which  divide  Korea  from  Manchuria  and  Russian  Siberia. 
Southward  and  westward  are  the  turbid  waters  of  the  Yellow 
Sea.  The  eastern  boundary  is  the  Sea  of  Japan,  as  attractive 
as  it  is  treacherous;  across  whose  ferry  of  300  miles  the 
clustered  groups  of  the  “Sunrise  Land”  appear.  A mountain 
chain  traverses  the  extreme  length  bv  a tortuous  course,  and 
terminates  only  with  the  sea.  East  of  this  range  lie  three  of 
the  eight  provinces  into  which  the  country  is  divided.  A 
picturesque  irregularity — at  times  positive  grandeur — is 
characteristic  of  this  section;  but  there  is  only  one  river  of 
importance,  while  the  soil  is  less  fertile,  the  climate  less  agree- 
able, and  the  coast  more  repellent  than  on  the  opposite  side. 
Five  fine  rivers,  abundant  coast  facilities,  naturally  good  soil 
and  more  genial  climatic  conditions,  are  found  in  the  western 
division.  To  these  advantages  must  be  added  the  attractions 
of  the  outlying  Archipelago — a wonder-world  to  the  naturalist, 
a revelation  to  the  tourist,  and  destined  to  become,  when  its 
resources  are  developed,  a source  of  immense  revenue  to  the 
parent  State.  Language  can  only  inadequately  describe  what 
is  seen  amidst  the  intricacies  of  these  unnumbered  islands — 
large  and  small.  Some  are  mere  columns,  weird  and  worn, 
against  which  the  waves  beat,  and  in  whose  crevices  the  sea 
birds  find  shelter.  Others,  more  extensive,  seem  to  be  plea- 
sant garden-spots,  where  a score  of  men  or  the  same  number 
of  families  find  support.  And  here  and  there  rise  veritable 
mountains,  one  of  which  is  2,000  feet  high. 

o 


4 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


The  winters  up  toward  the  Manchurian  frontier  are  very 
severe— even  more  so  than  the  latitude  would  naturally  indi- 
cate. Further  south,  the  climate  has  a range  similar  to  that 
met  with  in  America  between  the  New  England  and  the  Gulf 
States.  The  rainfall  is  apt  to  be  excessive,  and  harsh  and 
persistent  winds  prevail  in  the  late  autumn.  Yet  the  stalwart 
forms  of  the  natives  would  seem  to  prove  the  salubriousness 
of  the  air,  and  the  average  healthfulness  of  the  kingdom. 

The  products  might  be  as  varied  as  within  similar  geo- 
graphical limits  in  our  own  land,  but  as  a matter  of  fact 
agriculture  is  conducted  on  primitive  principles,  and  the 
people  are  content  if  they  secure  a mere  livelihood  from  the 
soil.  Pernicious  laws,  the  outgrowth  of  feudalism,  have 
tended  to  the  repression  of  private  enterprise,  and  contributed 
to  the  support  of  large  estates,  which  generally  have  lapsed 
into  decay.  In  this  particular  the  country  has  degenerated. 
Its  productions  in  the  past  excelled  those  now  found,  as 
regards  both  quantity  and  quality. 

Besides  the  rice,  corn,  millet,  barley  and  beans  upon  which 
the  people  depend,  hemp,  cotton,  tobacco  and  gin-seng  are 
cultivated  extensively.  Silk  is  also  produced  on  plantations 
of  mulberry  and  “scrub”  oak,  grown  for  the  purpose  of 
feeding  the  worms.  There  is  a sufficient  range  of  fruit; 
apricots,  peaches,  persimmons  and  melons  are  of  a fine  quality; 
flowers  are  universally  admired,  and  cultivated  as  extensively 
as  private  means  permit.  The  wealthier  families  vie  with 
each  other  in  chrysanthemum  exhibits  each  year.  The 
domestic  animals  with  which  we  are  familiar,  except  the  sheep, 
are  found  in  Korea.  A breed  of  ponies  rivalling  the  Shetland 
in  size  are  used  as  pack-horses.  Beasts  of  prey  are  numerous 
in  the  mountains. 

Zoologists  meet  here  a fact  not  yet  explained.  The  exact 
counterpart  of  the  Bengalese  tiger — the  terror  of  India’s 
jungles- — is  found  in  the  northern  provinces,  where  the 
thermometer  falls  to  io°  below  zero.  Professor  Griffis  quotes 
approvingly  the  grim  humor  of  the  Chinese,  who  say, 
“Koreans  hunt  the  tiger  half  the  year,  and  tigers  hunt 
Koreans  during  the  other  half.” 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


5 


Korea  calls  herself  4.000  years  old.  Legendary 
HISTORY  accounts  refer  us  to  Ki  Tsze,  the  governmental 
father  of  Korea.  He  was  a learned  man,  who 
acted  as  adviser  to  his  sovereign,  the  Emperor  of  China. 
His  royal  master,  resenting  some  supposed  interference,  cast 
him  into  prison.  Here  he  languished  a while  until  a formid- 
able rebellion  overthrew  the  tyrant  monarch,  and  liberated 
those  whom  he  had  unjustly  punished.  Ki  Tsze  was  thus 
freed.  Yet,  although  indebted  to  them  for  both  life  and 
liberty,  he  refused  to  abide  with  rebels,  and  collecting  some 
like-minded  followers,  numbering  thousands,  he  led  them  to 
the  “regions  beyond,”  and  established  his  capital  at  Pyeng 
Yang,  in  what  is  now  the  northern  province  of  Korea.  This 
he  named  “Chosen,”  Land  of  Morning  Calm.  The  dynasty 
thus  established  was  illustrious,  and  as  claimed,  continued 
from  1122  B.  C.  to  the  fourth  century  before  the  Christian  era. 

Concerning  the  aborigines  whom  Ki  Tsze  subdued,  we 
know  nothing.  About  194  B.  C.  occurred  the  first  Chinese 
conquest  of  the  land,  which  was  retained,  with  some  inter- 
ruption, until  107  B.  C.,  when  the  Kingdom,  as  such,  was 
obliterated  and  the  territory  “annexed”  to  China,  continuing 
thus  for  some  hundreds  of  years. 

The  progenitors  of  the  modern  Koreans,  according  to  the 
authorities  cited  by  Griffis,  were  the  men  of  Fuyu,  a stalwart 
race  from  northern  Manchuria,  who  wrested  the  peninsula 
from  the  Chinese,  and  established  the  Ko  Korai  Kingdom. 
Gigantic  armies  and  flotillas  were  sent  from  China  to  re-assert 
and  maintain  the  supremacy  of  the  Dragon  Flag,  but  in  vain. 
We  find  the  new  Kingdom  able  to  maintain  itself  until  at  least 
the  seventh  century.  While  these  events  were  occurring, 
Chinese  immigration,  diplomacy  and  power  largely  influenced 
the  southern  section  of  the  peninsula,  which,  however,  lay 
outside  of  the  Ko  Korain  Kingdom.  Sectional  and  foreign 
wars  too  numerous  to  recount  prevailed.  About  the  tenth 
century  the  whole  peninsula  was  unified  under  the  government 
of  Wang — the  Bismarck  of  his  day.  The  ensuing  dynasty 
comprised  thirty-two  monarchs.  In  the  fourteenth  century 
this  line  was  overthrown  by  Ni  Taijo,  who  afterwards  received 
investiture  as  King.  He  hastened  to  acknowledge  formally 


6 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


the  vassalage  of  his  realm  to  China  and  was  consequently  the 
recipient  of  great  honors  from  that  source.  From  that  time 
to  the  present  the  same  dynastic  rule  has  been  continued. 
Strictly  speaking,  however,  the  direct  line  ended  in  1864. 

The  Koreans  have  been  described  as  a 
MENTAL  CULTURE  cross  between  the  Chinese  and  the 
AND  SOCIAL  HABITS  Japanese,  but  more  resembling  the 
latter,  though  the  influence  of  China 
has  been  predominating.  The  upper  and  middle  classes  are 
largely  Confucianists.  The  literati  attempt  no  general  research, 
but  content  themselves  with  the  writings  of  the  sages  of  the 
Middle  Kingdom.  All  documents  are  written  in  Chinese, 
which  is  studied  by  every  Korean  having  any  pretensions  to 
scholarship.  The  vernacular  tongue,  known  as  Un-mun,  is 
polysyllabic,  and  has  the  great  advantage  of  an  alphabet.  Its 
use  has  become  very  general  within  the  last  few  years.  Dr. 
Gale  says: 

“Four  hundred  years  and  more  ago,  Sejong,  a wise  and  great  king. 

conceived  the  idea  of  a simple  form  of  writing He  chose  several 

of  his  best  scholars  to  work  out  the  same.  They  journeyed  to  and  from 
China  several  times,  examined  Sanscrit,  Pali  and  other  characters, 
labored  on  it  till  they  had  completed  one  of  the  simplest  and  most  per- 
fect word  records  in  the  world.  The  king  had  the  classics  illuminated 
by  notes  and  translations  in  this  new  and  simple  writing,  but  the  proud 
literati  felt  that  it  was  degrading  to  use  any  such  despised  invention ; 
so  they  baptized  it  Un-mun  ( dirty  script),  and  buried  it  away  in  the 
rubbish  heap  of  forgotten  achievements.  There  it  lay  until  the  mis- 
sionary came The  first  thing  he  did  was  to  put  his  holy  writings 

into  it,  bind  it  into  books  and  send  it  out  over  the  land  at  less  than  cost 

price,  till  the  whole  nation  has  become  a Bible-reading  people In 

Korea  there  is  scarcely  a household  where  some  member  cannot  sing 
off  the  simple  New  Testament  while  the  others  listen.  This  Un-mun, 
buried  so  long  from  sight,  is  to-day  the  mightiest  factor  in  the  land, 
and  is  called  no  longer  ‘dirty  script,’  but  Kuk-mun  (national 
character).”  * 

Until  very  recently,  all  education  was  based  on  Chinese 
models  and  consisted  solely  in  acquiring  some  thousands  of 
Chinese  characters  and  studying  the  Chinese  classics.  Yet 
it  must  not  be  inferred  that  this  discipline  is  without  advantage. 
It  yields  valuable  results  in  training  the  memory  and  teaching 
concentration  of  thought.  There  are  in  consequence  large 


Missionary  Review  of  the  World,  September,  1909. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


7 


numbers  of  Koreans  who  are  mentally  fitted  to  profit  by  the 
larger  opportunities  now  opened  to  them. 

In  1885  the  Korean  Government  established  a school  for 
young  men  in  Seoul  under  American  teachers,  and  from  time 
to  time  some  effort  was  made  to  introduce  modern  science 
and  foreign  languages.  The  political  changes  of  the  last  ten 
years  have  had  the  effect  of  arousing  a great  interest  in  educa- 
tion, and  an  intense  desire  for  the  advantages  of  Western 
learning. 

The  dwellings  of  the  people  are  poor  enough ; many  are 
only  of  mud,  thatched  with  straw.  Where  means  permit, 
brick  and  hewn  stone — in  some  instances  finely  carved — are 
used.  Household  appliances  and  comforts  are  few.  Adults 
dress  in  white  garments,  made  of  cotton  for  the  poor  and 
silk  for  the  wealthy.  The  children  are  clothed  in  the  brightest 
of  colors.  Holidays  are  common,  and  public  merrymakings 
frequent.  The  population  is  not  accurately  known;  estimates 
vary  from  12,000,000  to  14,000,000. 

Woman’s  status  resembles  that  of  the  sex  in  other  Asiatic 
regions.  Inferiority  is  assumed,  but  practically  there  is  not 
as  much  harshness  in  the  treatment  of  her  as  might  be  sup- 
posed, or  as  is  often  asserted.  Under  many  circumstances 
women  are  even  treated  with  respect,  and  are  protected  by 
certain  of  the  laws. 

In  the  earlier  ages  an  undefined  superstition  held 
RELIGION  sway  over  the  people.  The  unseen  “Princes  of 
the  Air,”  the  spirits  of  heaven  and  earth,  the 
unknown  forces  throughout  space,  were  “ignorantly  wor- 
shipped.” Buddhism,  as  an  exotic  from  India,  was  planted 
in  Korea  about  the  fourth  century.  At  once  it  took  firm  hold, 
and  flourished  as  though  indigenous  to  the  soil.  For  at  least 
ten  centuries  it  held  supreme  sway,  moulding  the  morals, 
manners  and  culture  of  the  realm. 

No  one  has  yet  given  the  world  an  exhaustive  review  of 
Buddhism.  It  will  never  be  done;  like  the  chameleon,  the 
system  changes  color  to  suit  its  surroundings.  The  Buddhism 
of  Siam  is  very  different  from  that  of  Thibet.  As  found  in 
Hindustan,  numerous  distinctions  separate  it  from  the  Bud- 
dhism of  Japan.  The  one  point  it  consistently  maintains 


8 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


everywhere,  is  that  this  life  is  full  of  evil,  a curse  rather  than  a 
blessing.  Existence  has  no  value;  even  death  brings  no  relief, 
since  it  introduces  man  to  another  state  of  conscious  existence 
which  is  as  bad  as  the  present,  perhaps  worse.  Hence,  joy 
can  only  come  by  what  is  called  Nirvana,  a condition  equiva- 
lent to  non-existence  or  annihilation.  This  is  the  underlying 
thought  upon  which  the  superstructure  of  Buddhism  is  reared. 
Temples  of  this  faith  are  found  all  through  Korea.  Although 
built  in  honor  of  Buddha,  they  really  contain  numerous  gods. 
In  some  instances  several  hundred  inferior  deities  are  ranged 
along  the  sides  of  the  buildings.  These  are  often  made  of 
colossal  size,  and,  in  the  cities  especially,  sometimes  exhibit 
artistic  merit.  As  far  as  practicable,  the  temples  are  on  hill- 
tops, and  generally  surrounded  by  groves.  While  uniformity 
of  architecture  is  not  insisted  on,  a cetrain  resemblance  is  to 
be  traced  in  them  all.  Outside  apartments  are  built  for  the 
priests  who  live  on  the  premises.  These  men  are  generally 
lazy  and  ignorant  fellows,  more  intent  on  a life  of  sloth  than 
upon  the  advancement  of  their  belief.  The  support  of  such 
establishments  is  voluntary  and  often  liberal. 

Worship  consists  in  prostration  and  prayer  before  the  idol, 
the  burning  of  incense,  the  presentation  of  paper  suitably 
inscribed,  and  the  repetition  of  a formula,  which  is  assisted  by 
a rosary  held  in  the  hand,  and  on  which  the  count  is  kept.  At 
present  Buddhism  in  Korea  is  on  the  wane.  It  has  no  recog- 
nition by  the  present  dynasty7,  and  only  exists  by  sufferance, 
the  priests  being  looked  upon  as  a low  class  given  up  to 
immoral  lives. 

Confucianism,  while  introduced  into  Korea  at  an  early 
period,  has  been  prominent  there  for  only  three  hundred 
years.  It  presents  five  general  principles:  Benevolence, 
Uprightness,  Politeness,  Wisdom  and  Fidelity7.  It  treats, 
moreover,  of  five  relations  of  life,  which  are:  'King  and 
Subject,  Parent  and  Child,  Husband  and  Wife.  Elder  and 
Younger  Brother,  and  Friend  with  Friend.  Nothing  is  said 
of  the  soul’s  immortality.  Concerning  the  existence  of  any 
God  or  gods,  one  of  its  authorities  declares,  “Sufficient 
knowledge  is  not  possessed  to  say7  positively7  that  they  exist, 
and  I see  no  difficulty  in  omitting  the  subject  altogether." 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


9 


Indeed,  Confucianism  chiefly  seeks  to  mould  society  in  social 
and  political  matters.  It  presents  many  admirable  ideas, 
which  yet  fall  infinitely  short  of  the  truth  man  chiefly  needs. 
A Confucian  temple  contains  no  idols.  The  building  is  dis- 
tinguished within  by  a tablet  which  sets  forth  the  honor  of 
the  Great  Sage.  Generally  a large  number  of  less  conspicuous 
tablets  appear,  which  praise  his  best  known  disciples.  An 
altar  is  erected  where  sacrifice  is  made,  or  offerings  are  laid. 
Some  of  the  displays  on  festal  occasions  are  very  fine.  The 
second  and  eighth  months  are  the  fixed  times  for  offering 
sacrifice  to  Confucius,  who  is  not,  however,  regarded  as  a god, 
as  these  facts  would  seem  to  indicate. 

Taoism  also  exists  in  Korea,  but  exerts  little  influence. 
Its  distinctive  feature  is  Rationalism.  Its  ceremonies  are 
singular,  and  its  tenets  grossly  materialistic.  It  is  also  an 
importation  from  China,  where  it  originated  with  the  philoso- 
pher Laotse,  who  lived  in  the  seventh  century.  It  offers  many 
idols,  yet  neither  the  temples  nor  the  priests  are  numerous  or 
well  supported. 

Far  more  worthy  of  our  regard  are  some  of  the  teachings 
connected  with  ancestral  worship  as  it  exists  in  Korea.  It 
is  really  an  expression  of  the  popular  idea  of  what  constitutes 
filial  piety.  If  families  can  afford  it,  they  erect  handsome 
temples,  and  there  place  tablets  inscribed  with  the  names  and 
virtues  of  their  immediate  ancestors.  A valuable  result  of 
this  idea  is  the  preservation  of  a complete  genealogical  list. 
Generally  the  tablet  is  erected  without  the  dignity  of  a temple 
to  shelter  it.  Before  these  tablets,  and  in  honor  of  the 
deceased,  theatrical  plays  are  performed  on  temporary  stages; 
presentations  of  food  are  made  to  the  departed  spirit,  and  even 
more  commonly,  prayers  are  offered  and  wailings  uttered. 

The  real  religion  of  the  Korean  is  the  worship  of  evil  spirits, 
of  whom  he  lives  in  pitiable  fear.  “His  imagination  peoples 
the  earth,  the  sea  and  the  sky,  with  myriads  of  spirits,  five- 
sixths  of  whom  are  hateful,  wicked,  malicious;  the  rest,  while 
better  disposed,  are  capricious  in  the  extreme.  He  can  never 
tell  when  he  has  offended  one  of  these  beings,  so  he  lives  in  a 
constant  dread,  that  impels  him  to  frequent  expensive  offerings 


IO 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


to  appease  their  jealous  anger.  In  the  city  of  Seoul  alone, 
three  thousand  sorceresses  ply  their  art.”* 

The  Introduction  of  Western  Civilization. 

Possibly  in  the  sixteenth  century,  certainly  in  the  eighteenth, 
Roman  Catholic  converts  from  Japan  and  China  carried  the 
Christian  religion  into  Korea.  They  taught,  they  baptized, 
they  labored  with  conspicuous  zeal,  although  not  always  with 
commendable  caution. 

About  1783,  a distinguished  official,  Senghuni  by  name, 
professed  conversion,  and  was  baptized  under  the  new  name 
of  Peter.  The  better  class  of  scholars  were  not  slow  to  see 
the  superiority  of  even  corrupt  Christianity  to  their  own 
Pagan  systems.  The  people  began  to  take  kindly  to  the 
missionaries,  who  were  greatly  encouraged.  Religious  books 
were  translated  and  distributed. 

But  the  government  soon  took  alarm.  The  priesthood  was 
awakened.  Prejudice  being  kindled,  blazed  into  passion,  and 
consumed  the  new  church  with  the  fierce  fires  of  unrelenting 
persecution.  It  was  the  old  story.  Many  recanted  and  saved 
their  lives.  Others  fled  to  China,  and  4,000  heroic  souls 
braved  martyrdom  by  sword  and  fagot  and  unmentionable 
tortures. 

Jean  dos  Remidios,  a priest  from  Portugal,  was  the  first 
person  from  the  West  who  ever  ventured  on  Korean  soil  for 
the  purpose  of  preaching  and  teaching.  Some  Dutch  sailors 
were  shipwrecked  there  in  1672,  and  detained  as  prisoners  for 
some  time.  But  their  stay  was  involuntary,  and  their  work 
by  no  means  evangelistic. 

The  results  of  Remidios’  efforts  were  considerable  at  first, 
but  soon  passed  away.  In  1835,  under  the  influence  of 
Bourbon  ascendency  in  France,  Roman  Catholic  missions 
were  reintroduced  to  Korea.  The  pioneers  of  this  fresh 
crusade  went  overland  by  way  of  China  and  Manchuria.  In 
a few  years  they  claimed  several  thousands  of  adherents.  As 
before,  and  for  the  same  reasons,  blood  soon  drowned  out 
all  traces  of  the  boasted  conquest.  Again  and  again  Rome 

*Every  Day  Life  in  Korea,”  Rev.  D.  L.  Gifford. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


II 


rallied,  and  as  often  was  driven  from  the  field.  The  workmen 
died,  and  the  work  itself  was  deserted.  So  it  seemed,  at  least. 
Yet  a remnant  must  have  survived.  Even  if  we  doubt  the 
claim  of  the  Jesuits  that  they  had  10,000  converts  in  1850,  and 
about  15,000  seven  years  later,  still  we  must  believe  that  there 
was  some  foundation  for  their  statement. 

The  year  i860  was  important  in  the  East.  It  was  then 
that  English  arms  so  completely  mastered  the  resistance  of 
the  great  Chinese  Empire.  British  greed  had  forced  India’s 
opium  upon  the  people  of  the  eighteen  Provinces.  British 
guns  were  the  unanswerable  argument  which  supported  the 
demand.  The  forts  of  the  Peiho  fell  before  the  merciless  fire 
to  which  they  were  subjected.  Pekin  was  taken  and  sacked. 
The  prestige  of  China  was  destroyed.  The  fruits  of  that 
victory — directly  or  indirectly — were  the  enforced  opening  of 
new  Chinese  ports  to  commerce,  additional  guarantees  for 
Christian  missions,  and  the  opportunity  it  gave  Russia  of 
seizing  lands  contiguous  to  China. 

Nowhere  more  than  in  Korea  were  these  changes  felt.  It 
had  been  supposed  that  China  was  impregnable.  But  the 
Dragon  Throne  had  been  despoiled  by  a mere  handful  of 
“outside  barbarians.”  The  great  Emperor  was  an  exile  in 
Tartary.  The  red  cross  of  St.  George  floated  over  the  palace 
of  Pekin.  All  this  sent  a thrill  of  consternation  through  the 
“hermit  nation” — where  the  more  thoughtful  ones  could  see 
that  such  an  overthrow  was  indicative  of  their  own  peril,  if 
not  a prelude  to  their  own  destruction.  The  handwriting  was 
on  the  wall.  One  has  said,  “Political  convulsions,  like 
geological  upheavings,  usher  in  new  epochs  of  the  world’s 
progress.”  It  has  proved  so  in  this  instance.  Paganism  at 
once  made  frantic  efforts  to  shut  itself  securely  away  from 
progress.  Armies  were  drilled  in  Korea,  forts  were  built, 
frontiers  were  guarded,  every  precaution  was  taken.  Watch 
fires  were  kindled  at  a moment’s  notice  on  the  coast,  and 
headland  telegraphed  to  headland  of  any  impending  danger. 
All  was  in  vain. 

The  fear  of  foreign  aggression  inspired  a violent  persecu- 
tion of  the  Roman  Catholic  Christians,  and  fourteen  bishops 
and  priests,  with  thousands  of  their  Korean  converts,  suffered 


12 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


martyrdom.  A squadron  of  war  vessels  was  sent  by  Napoleon 
III  to  avenge  the  slaughter  of  the  French  priests. 

Admiral  Roze,  of  the  French  navy,  blockaded  Han  River, 
penetrated  the  interior  as  far  as  Seoul,  the  capital,  and  com- 
pletely destroyed  the  city  of  Kang  Wha,  situated  on  an  island 
of  that  name,  and  the  chief  military  depot  of  Western  Korea. 
He  afterwards  attacked  Tong  Chin.  Flere  he  was  repulsed 
with  great  loss,  being  ultimately  obliged  to  retire  altogether. 

An  American  buccaneering  expedition,  on  the  schooner 
“General  Sherman,”  in  1866,  made  a futile  attempt  to  reach 
the  royal  tombs  of  Pyeng  Yang,  where  it  was  said  that  the 
Emperors  of  Korea  were  buried  in  coffins  of  gold.  The 
Yankee  craft  ran  aground  at  low  tide  in  the  river.  In  this 
helpless  condition  it  was  surrounded  by  blazing  fire-rafts  and 
destroyed;  the  crew  were  all  slain.  Two  warships  were  sent 
to  inquire  into  the  matter,  but  no  further  action  was  taken. 

In  1871,  Hon.  Frederick  F.  Low,  U.  S.  Minister  to  China, 
was  sent  to  Korea  with  an  escort  of  five  war  vessels,  to  con- 
clude, if  possible,  a commercial  treaty  between  the  United 
States  and  Korea,  and  to  provide  for  the  safety  of  American 
sailors  who  might  be  shipwrecked  in  Korean  waters.  The 
Americans  were  civilly  received,  and  negotiations  were 
opened.  While  they  were  in  progress,  the  Admiral  in  com- 
mand sent  two  gunboats-  to  survey  the  Han  River.  They 
were  fired  upon  from  the  shore  batteries,  which  in  return  were 
demolished  by  shells  from  the  gunboats.  As  no  apology  was 
received  for  this  assault,  a detachment  was  landed  and  the 
citadel  captured  and  destroyed,  after  a brave  defence,  in  which 
nearly  all  of  the  garrison  perished. 

In  reality,  the  Americans  gained  no  substantial  advantage, 
and,  like  the  French,  were  inclined  to  withdraw  without  further 
demonstrations.  Yet  they  prepared  the  way  for  others  to 
enter. 

In  1876,  Japan  accomplished  the  important  task,  never 
before  successful,  of  making  a complete  treaty  with  Korea. 
This  was  done  under  the  potent  influence  of  a powerful  fleet, 
and  a large  force  of  troops.  The  French  and  English  tried  to 
take  immediate  advantage,  but  made  no  headway.  Mean- 
while, the  trade  between  Korea  and  Japan  increased  marvel- 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


13 


lously,  a fact  which  incited  Western  envy  to  seek  some  method 
of  dividing  its  obvious  profits. 

Under  the  direction  of  President  Hayes,  Commodore 
Shufeldt  visited  Korea  and  vainly  endeavored  to  establish 
cordial  relations  with  the  authorities.  Nothing  was  accom- 
plished. The  following  year,  however,  through  the  friendly 
intervention  of  Li  Hung  Chang,  the  Chinese  Viceroy,  the 
Commodore  was  better  received,  and  on  May  6th,  1882,  he 
negotiated  a satisfactory  treaty. 

General  Foote  was  sent  by  President  Arthur  as  minister 
resident  to  Seoul.  He  was  received  at  court,  and  established 
at  the  capital  a United  States  legation. 

In  1894  an  attempt  was  made  to  throw  off  the  Chinese 
suzerainty.  A Japanese  force  was  sent  to  Korea  in  contra- 
vention of  treaties  with  China.  This  led  to  war  between  Japan 
and  China,  of  which  Korea  was  the  battle-ground.  The 
complete  defeat  of  China,  and  the  formal  renunciation  of  her 
claims  by  the  treaty  of  peace  signed  May,  1895,  left  Korea 
nominally  independent,  but  entirely  under  Japanese  control. 
A period  of  much  political  disturbance  followed.  In  October, 
1895,  the  Empress  was  assassinated,  and  soon  after  the 
Emperor  fled  from  the  palace  and  took  refuge  with  the  Rus- 
sian legation.  This  gave  Russia  for  the  time  the  predominant 
influence  in  Korean  affairs.  The  long  dissensions  ended  in 
the  outbreak  of  war  between  Russia  and  Japan  in  1904. 
Korea  was  filled  with  Japanese  troops,  and  the  first  battles 
of  the  war  were  fought  on  Korean  territory.  When  peace 
was  declared  in  1905,  a Japanese  protectorate  was  formally 
established,  under  a Resident-General  (Marquis  Ito),  and 
Japanese  subjects  became  eligible  for  official  positions.  A 
period  of  great  unrest  and  disturbance  followed,  in  which 
various  attempts  at  insurrection  were  put  down  with  much 
harshness.  In  1907.  the  old  Emperor  was  forced  to  abdicate, 
and  the  Crown  Prince  became  the  nominal  head  of  the  govern- 
ment. Vigorous  measures  of  reform  have  been  instituted, 
and  all  departments  of  the  government  thoroughly  reorgan- 
ized under  Japanese  control. 

Great  advances  have  been  made  in  the  means  of  communi- 
cation. A railroad  has  been  completed  from  Fusan  to  Seoul, 


14 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


with  branches  to  Chemulpo  and  Masampo,  and  carried  on 
310  miles  beyond  Seoul  to  Eui-ju,  whence  it  will  ultimately  be 
extended  to  connect  with  the  railroads  of  Manchuria.  There 
are  more  than  2,000  miles  of  telegraph  lines,  and  telephones 
are  established  in  the  principal  towns. 

PROTESTANT  MISSIONS. 

Evangelical  religion  was  introduced  into  Korea  bv  Rev. 
J.  McIntyre  and  Rev.  John  Ross,  ministers  of  the  Scotch 
United  Presbyterian  Church  in  Manchuria.  In  1873,  Mr. 
Ross  visited  the  most  eastern  port  of  Manchuria,  known  as 
the  Korean  Gate,  the  place  where  Korean  merchants  were 
wont  to  exchange  the  products  of  their  country  for  Chinese 
products.  By  a remarkable  succession  of  providential  events, 
Mr.  Ross  was  enabled  to  translate  portions  of  the  Gospel  of 
Luke  into  the  Korean  language.  These  portions,  in  the  form 
of  tracts,  were  carried  back  into  the  Korean  valleys  by  young 
men  who  had  come  under  the  influence  of  the  truth  through 
Mr.  Ross  and  his  associates.  In  the  course  of  time,  Mr.  Ross 
and  Mr.  Webster,  in  the  face  of  great  exposure  and  imminent 
peril,  visited  the  valleys  where  the  Word  of  God  had  been 
scattered,  and  to  their  joy  found  many  who  were  ready  to 
confess  Christ.  During  their  first  visit  eighty-five  men  were 
baptized  in  the  three  valleys,  and  many  were  reserved  for 
further  instruction. 

About  1880,  Rijutei,  a Korean  of  high  rank,  was  sent  to 
represent  his  government  in  Japan.  Here  he  was  led  to 
accept  Christ,  and  begged  earnestly  that  missionaries  should 
be  sent  to  Korea.  In  answer  to  this  appeal,  the  Presbyterian 
Board  sent  Dr.  H.  N.  Allen,  then  working  as  a medical 
missionary  in  China.  He  arrived  in  Korea  September,  1884. 
General  Foote  at  once  appointed  him  physician  to  the  United 
States  Legation,  which  assured  his  safety  and  favorable 
reception. 

During  a disturbance  in  Seoul,  which  occurred  about  a 
month  after  Dr.  Allen’s  arrival,  a number  of  persons  of  dis- 
tinction were  wounded.  Under  Dr.  Allen’s  care,  many  of 
them  recovered.  The  life  of  Min  Yong  Ik,  a nephew  of  the 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


15 


King,  was  thus  saved,  and  the  prestige  gained  for  western 
medical  science  and  for  the  whole  work  of  missions  was  very 
great.  Dr.  Allen’s  influence  was-  unbounded.  The  King  at 
once  received  him  into  his  confidence  as  his  court  physician. 
He  also  fitted  up  a government  hospital  at  large  expense  and 
placed  it  under  his  care. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Heron  and  wife,  and  Rev.  H.  G.  Underwood, 
were  sent  out  by  the  Board  some  months  later,  and  about  the 
same  time  the  American  Methodist  Church  established  a 
mission  at  Seoul.  The  Korean  government  also  established 
a college,  and  employed  three  American  instructors,  Messrs. 
Hulbert,  Gilmore  and  Bunker. 

Great  caution  was  necessary  to  avoid  arousing  the 
hostility  of  the  people,  and  for  several  years  the  work  was 
chiefly  medical  and  literary.  To  acquire  the  difficult  language 
sufficiently  to  translate  the  Scriptures  and  prepare  the  neces- 
sary school  books  demanded  great  labor  and  patience.  The 
entire  New  Testament  had  been  earlier  translated  into  a north 
Korean  dialect  by  Rev.  Dr.  Ross,  and  his  version  formed  the 
basis  of  several  reprints  and  revisions  of  different  portions.  A 
committee  representing  the  different  missions  is  now  at  work 
on  a translation  of  the  Scriptures  designed  to  be  the  best 
attainable.  The  entire  New  Testament  was  completed  in 
1900,  and  has  since  been  printed.  Of  the  Old  Testament 
books,  Genesis,  Exodus,  Samuel,  Kings,  the  Psalms  and  Isaiah 
are  now  in  circulation,  and  the  entire  volume  will  soon  be 
finished. 

The  Korean  Religious  Tract  Society  was  formed  in  1890 
by  the  efforts  of  Dr.  John  Heron.  It  prints  yearly  many 
thousand  pages  of  religious  and  educational  works,  including 
among  others  an  “Annual  Calendar,”  “The  Bible  Catechism,” 
"Peep  of  Day,”  “Guide  to  Heaven,”  and  the  “Pilgrim’s 
Progress,”  translated  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  S.  Gale.  Mr.  Gale 
has  also  prepared  a Korean-English  Dictionary,  a Manual  of 
Korean  Grammar,  and  several  Chinese  Readers. 

Many  of  the  first  school  books  were  written  bv  Mrs.  D.  J. 
Gifford,  who  became  remarkably  proficient  in  the  Korean 
language.  Dr.  Avison  has  translated  a numbei  of  medical 
manuals  for  his  students. 


i6 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


The  Union  Hymnal,  the  Sunday-school  lesson  helps  and 
magazines,  both  Korean  and  English,  are  published  jointly  by 
all  the  missions. 

For  five  years  our  mission  was  the  only  Presbyterian  body 
in  Korea.  The  Australian  Presbyterians  sent  a representative 
in  1889;  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  entered  in  1891; 
and  the  Canadian  Presbyterians  in  1898.  These  four  missions, 
with  clearly  defined  territory,  are  working  together  as  one, 
for  the  evangelization  of  Korea.  A “Presbyterian  Council” 
was  early  formed,  consisting  of  the  members  of  all  Presbyte- 
rian missions,  with  the  hope  of  establishing  a united  Church. 
Classes  in  theology  were  begun  in  1903,  under  the  care  of  this 
Council,  and  seven  men,  having  passed  through  the  full  course, 
were  graduated  in  June,  1907.  All  these  men  had  for  years 
done  valuable  work  for  the  Church  as  helpers,  elders  and 
evangelists. 

In  September,  1907,  the  members  of  the  Council,  the 
theological  students,  with  native  elders  sent  as  delegates  from 
all  parts  of  the  country,  assembled,  with  an  immense  congre- 
gation of  Christians,  in  the  Central  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Pyeng  Yang,  and  the  first  Presbytery  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Korea  was  duly  constituted,  with  33  foreign  and  36 
native  presbyters.  That  same  evening  the  seven  graduates  in 
theology  were  formally  ordained  to  the  ministry. 

One  of  the  newly-ordained  men  volunteered  to  go  as  a 
missionary  to  the  island  of  Quelpart,  some  sixty  miles  off  the 
coast.  His  offer  was  gladly  accepted,  and  a letter  sent  to  the 
churches  asking  for  a thank  offering  to  support  this,  their  first 
foreign  missionary  and  his  helpers. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Christ  in  Korea  began  its  life 
thus  with  seven  native  ministers,  53  elders,  989  congregations. 
20,000  communicants,  and  70,000  believers.  Our  missionaries 
will  expend  their  full  energy  in  assisting  and  strengthening 
this  new  body  in  every  direction.  This  is  their  work,  to  help 
the  Koreans  to  help  themselves. 

Other  Missions. — There  have  not  been  many  denominations 
at  work  in  Korea.  American  Methodists,  both  Northern  and 
Southern,  established  missions  1885-1889.  These  two  mis- 
sions unite  with  the  Presbyterians  in  a General  Council  of 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


17 


Evangelical  Missions,  aiming  at  a fraternal  division  of  terri- 
tory, and  hoping  and  planning  to  unite  all  Christian  Koreans 
in  one  native  Church.  This  Council  cares  for  the  one  Chris- 
tian newspaper,  the  Sunday-school  literature,  the  one  hymn 
book  for  Christian  Korea,  and  other  matters  in  which  united 
action  is  possible. 

The  American  Bible  Society  has  one  representative  in 
Korea;  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  has  two;  the 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  (Anglican)  reports 
ten  missionaries,  working  at  five  stations;  the  Foreign  Depart- 
ment of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  of  North 
America  has  three  men  at  work. 

The  mission  work  in  Korea  has  developed  with  such 
extraordinary  rapidity  that  it  is  hard  to  give  an  adequate 
impression  of  it.  The  first  convert  was  baptized  in  1886;  the 
first  little  church  was  organized  in  1887.  In  1890,  100  con- 
verts were  reported.  In  1909,  including  catechumens  and 
adherents,  who  are  only  waiting  for  admission  to  the  Church, 
there  are  nearly  200,000  men  and  women  who  call  themselves 
by  the  name  of  Christ  and  are  striving  to  do  His  will.  The 
greater  part  of  these  are  in  the  regions  covered  by  our  own 
stations. 

It  is  plain  that  this  wonderful  result  could  never  have  been 
attained  by  the  handful  of  foreign  missionaries.  The  work 
has  been  done  by  the  Korean  Christians  themselves,  who  take 
quite  literally  the  injunction  to  “go  and  tell”  the  blessings 
that  they  have  received.  So  they  have  carried  the  Word  to 
their  friends  and  neighbors  all  through  the  land.  Groups  of 
believers  are  found  in  every  direction,  and  the  mission  force 
is  quite  inadequate  to  give  them  the  training  and  shepherding 
that  they  need.  This  movement  does  not  spring  from  any 
expectation  of  worldly  gain.  Koreans  embrace  Christianity 
at  the  risk  of  persecution  and  sometimes  death  at  the  hands  of 
their  heathen  neighbors.  They  receive  in  most  cases  no 
pecuniary  aid  from  the  mission.  They  are  generally  very 
poor;  their  monetary  unit  is  a coin  worth  ten  cents,  which  is 
equivalent  to  a dollar  in  America.  The  believers  meet  in  one 
another’s  houses  until  they  are  able  to  build  a little  church  for 
themselves.  The  most  competent  man  of  the  little  group  is 


i8 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


selected,  after  consultation  with  the  missionary  in  charge,  to 
act  as  their  leader,  and  conduct  the  services  without  compen- 
sation, like  a Sunday-school  superintendent  in  America.  When 
a leader’s  whole  time  is  required,  the  people  give  enough  out 
of  their  poverty  to  provide  for  his  daily  wants.  The  mission- 
ary visits  each  group  as  often  as  possible  to  receive  converts 
and  administer  the  sacraments. 

Training  classes  for  instruction  in  the  Scriptures  are  held 
whenever  possible.  These  last  from  one  to  four  weeks,  and 
are  attended  each  year  by  several  thousands  of  men  and 
women.  Some  of  them  travel  on  foot  120  miles  through  the 
mountains  to  study  the  Bible  for  two  weeks.  They  pay  their 
own  expenses,  beside  giving  their  time,  which  is  a great  sacri- 
fice for  working  people.  One  woman  sold  her  hair  that  she 
might  get  money  to  come. 

“We  need  often  to  remind  ourselves  and  the  American  Church  that 
the  standards  for  admission  to  the  sacraments  are  nowhere  higher  than 
in  Korea.  A11  average  of  eighteen  months  elapses  from  the  time  of 
belief  to  the  time  of  baptism  in  the  case  of  those  who  consistently  show 
all  the  time  by  their  purity,  prayer  and  preaching  that  they  are  Chris- 
tians, and  the  weaker  ones  are  tested  and  tried  much  longer.  So  that 
even  the  new  members  of  the  churches  are  well  acquainted  with  the 
teachings  of  Christ,  are  eager  to  proclaim  abroad  the  good  things  they 
have  enjoyed,  and,  having  been  in  touch  with  a great  movement  a long 
time  before  they  are  really  part  of  it,  they  ‘make  good,’  and  cases  of 
falling  away  are  few  and  far  between.” 

During  1906  and  1907,  the  churches  of  Korea  were  blessed 
with  a remarkable  spiritual  awakening,  purifying  the  hearts 
and  lives  of  the  people  and  causing  them  to  work  more  zeal- 
ously for  the  conversion  of  their  neighbors.  The  wonderful 
increase  in  believers  and  enquirers  has  thrown  an  unprece- 
dented responsibility  upon  the  Church.  In  view  of  this 
unparalleled  opportunity,  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  in 
1908  authorized  the  Korean  missionaries  then  on  furlough  in 
the  United  States  to  seek  for  twenty  men,  with  their  wives, 
and  six  single  women,  for  the  pressing  needs  of  the  Korean 
field,  and  called  upon  the  home  Church  to  raise  $230,000  out- 
side of  its  usual  gifts  to  provide  for  this  reinforcement  and  to 
equip  the  necessary  institutions  for  Christian  training. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


19 


STATION'S. 

The  stations  occupied  have  been  chosen  as  central  points 
for  reaching  the  whole  country:  Seoul,  the  capital,  in  the 
centre:  Fusan,  on  the  northern  coast:  Taiku  and  Chong  Ju 
for  the  interior;  Pyeng  Yang,  Syen  Chun,  Chai  Ryong  and 
Kang  Kai,  in  the  fertile  provinces  of  the  north.  Gensan 
(Won-san),  the  gateway  for  all  the  country  east  of  the  moun- 
tains, was  occupied  in  1892,  and  transferred  to  the  Canadian 
Presbyterians  in  1899,  in  exchange  for  their  field  in  Whang 
Hai  Province. 

Seoul  is  on  the  Han  River,  twenty-five  miles  by  rail 
SEOUL  from  the  seaport,  Chemulpo,  ft  is  a city  of  300,000 
inhabitants,  beautifully  situated  among  the  moun- 
tains. Here  is  the  centre  of  the  nation’s  life,  so  that  evangel- 
istic work  among  its  transient  population  reaches  every  hamlet 
in  the  land.  The  little  church  organized  in  1887  has  grown 
into  three  large  congregations  in  different  sections  of  the  city. 
Each  of  these  has  its  own  pastor,  but  all  are  united  into  one 
church  organization,  somewhat  on  the  collegiate  plan.  Union 
services  for  communion  and  baptisms  are  held  quarterly,  and 
local  communion  services  in  the  intervals.  The  Yun  Mot  Kol 
church,  the  largest  of  the  three,  has  a fine  new  building,  large 
enough  to  accommodate  comfortably  its  congregation  of 
1,200  members.  The  Central  Church  also  has  a new  building, 
twice  the  size  of  the  former  one,  and  the  West  Gate  Church, 
the  oldest  in  Seoul,  will  soon  build  a larger  church  on  the 
present  site.  The  attendance  has  increased  so  much  that  the 
men  and  the  women  have  to  meet  at  different  hours. 

The  city  is  divided  into  twenty-four  districts,  in  charge  of 
Korean  leaders,  and  services  are  held  every  week  in  each  dis- 
trict. Colporteurs  and  Bible  women  are  also  employed. 
Much  good  is  done  by  Bible  classes,  taught  in  the  homes  of 
people  of  wealth  and  rank,  who  hesitate  about  attending  public 
services. 

Bible,  study  classes  are  held  each  year  for  men  and  women 
from  the  country  districts.  There  were  more  than  400  men 
enrolled  in  the  last  class,  and  they  received  a manifest  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit. 


20 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


The  great  increase  in  the  number  of  Christians  has  made  it 
necessary  to  sub-divide  the  country  districts  formerly  de- 
pendent on  Seoul.  A new  station  at  Chong  Ju  reaches  the 
whole  Province  of  Cheng  Chong,  on  the  south.  The  extreme 
north  is  now  worked  from  Chai  Ryong;  and  the  Southern 
Methodists  have  become  responsible  for  the  city  of  Song-do 
and  its  surrounding  territory. 

Medical  Work. — The  physician’s  aid  is  not  needed  in  Korea 
as  in  some  lands  to  gain  attention  to  the  preacher’s  message. 
But  it  is  impossible  for  those  who  believe  that  Christianity  is 
shown  as  truly  in  works  of  love  as  in  literal  preaching  to  turn 
away  from  the  appeal  of  human  suffering.  The  work  of  Chris- 
tian charity  that  began  with  the  very  entrance  of  the  mission 
has  been  carried  on  faithfully  ever  since. 

The  Government  Hospital  at  Seoul  was  superintended 
successively  by  Dr.  Allen,  Dr.  Heron,  Dr.  Vinton  and  Dr. 
Avison,  with  the  assistance  of  others.  A Nurses’  Home  was 
built  by  the  Presbyterial  Society  of  Utica,  to  commemorate 
the  faithful  service  of  Miss  Jacobson,  the  first  trained  nurse 
sent  to  the  mission.  In  1894,  the  jealousy  and  corruption  of 
the  native  officials  became  so  intolerable  that  Dr.  Avison  was 
forced  to  resign  his  position  for  a time.  The  Japanese  occu- 
pation enabled  the  King  to  carry  out  desirable  reforms,  and 
to  recall  Dr.  Avison,  who  was  given  absolute  direction,  and 
full  liberty  for  Christian  teaching. 

Mrs.  Underwood,  M.  D.,  had  exceptional  opportunities  for 
visiting  among  women  in  virtue  of  her  appointment  as  physi- 
cian to  the  ladies  of  the  Court.  She  was  in  constant  attend- 
ance upon  the  unfortunate  Queen  who  was  murdered  in  1895. 

In  the  summer  of  1895,  a terrible  epidemic  of  cholera  devas- 
tated Korea,  and  was  especially  severe  at  Seoul.  Two  special 
hospitals  were  at  once  opened,  and  nearly  all  the  members  of 
the  Presbyterian,  Baptist  and  Methodist  missions,  assisted  by 
many  Korean  Christians,  spent  the  summer  in  caring  for  the 
victims.  By  God's  mercy,  none  of-  the  foreign  community, 
and  very  few  of  the  native  Christians,  were  stricken.  The 
King  showed  his  gratitude  by  sending  a gift  of  $300  to  the 
hospital,  and  a testimonial  of  thanks  was  received  from  the 
Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


21 


The  mission  had  long  desired  to  possess  its  own  hospital  in 
Seoul,  free  from  the  uncertainties  and  complications 
inseparable  from  government  control.  By  the  generosity  of 
Mr.  L.  H.  Severance,  of  Cleveland.  Ohio,  this  was  made  pos- 
sible, and  after  many  delays  and  perplexities,  a site  was  secured 
and  a fine  hospital  finished  in  1905,  well  equipped  for  its  work. 
Many  of, the  patients  come  from  the  foreign  community.  The 
receipts  nearly  pay  the  expenses,  except  the  salaries  of  the 
physicians. 

A Medical  College  established  in  connection  with  the  hos- 
pital graduated  in  1908  its  first  class  of  seven  men.  Marquis 
Ito,  the  Japanese  Resident-General,  presented  the  diplomas 
to  the  graduates,  and  they  received  medical  certificates  from 
the  government,  the  first  ever  given  in  Korea.  A School  for 
Nurses  has  a class  of  young  women  in  training. 

Schools. — Early  in  the  history  of  the  station,  a boys’  board- 
ing-school was  begun,  and  continued  for  some  years.  In 
1901  this  was  reorganized  and  reopened  as  a Training  School 
for  Christian  Workers.  The  beautiful  building  is  a memorial 
to  the  Rev.  John  D.  Wells,  D.  D.,  for  nearly  fifty  years  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  The  students 
number  about  125,  all  Christian  boys. 

The  Yun-Mot-Kol  Women’s  Academy  is  one  of  the  oldest 
Christian  schools  in  Korea,  having  been  organized  in  1888  by 
Miss  Doty  (Mrs.  F.  S.  Miller).  Though  hampered  for  years 
by  its  small  quarters,  it  has  exerted  a wide  influence  among 
the  Christians  of  Seoul.  Many  of  its  first  pupils  are  now 
married,  and  others  have  become  teachers.  The  aim  of  the 
school  is  to  train  Christian  women  as  home-makers,  teachers 
or  Bible  women.  All  who  come  now  are  willing  to  pay  for 
their  board  and  tuition,  and  many  have  to  be  refused  for  lack 
of  room. 

There  are  thirty-three  day-schools  in  connection  with  the 
churches  belonging  to  Seoul  station.  These  are-  all  self- 
supporting,  and  enroll  nearly  1,000  pupils. 

Fusan,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Korea,  is  the 
FUSAN  nearest  point  to  Japan,  from  which  it  is  separated  by 

1891  a strait  only  120  miles  wide.  It  is,  therefore,  the 
port  of  entry  both  from  America  and  Japan.  There 
are  about  20,000  Japanese  in  the  city,  and  large  numbers  of 


22 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


them  have  settled  in  the  adjacent  country.  The  province  is 
not  large,  but  is  very  densely  populated.  One-half  of  it  is 
cared  for  by  the  Australian  Presbyterian  Mission. 

This  field  has  developed  more  slowly  than  some  of  the  newer 
stations,  but  the  last  few  years  have  seen  a rapid  increase. 
Within  ten  years  about  forty  congregations  have  been  estab- 
lished in  the  province,  many  of  them  with  good  church  build- 
ings and  prosperous  schools.  Training  classes  for  men  and 
women  are  held  in  different  towns,  with  the  same  excellent 
results  as  in  other  stations.  The  sudden  death  of  Rev.  R.  H. 
Sidebotham,  while  on  furlough  in  the  United  States  in  1908, 
was  a sad  loss  to  this  station,  where  he  had  labored  since  1899. 
The  church  in  Fusan  city  reports.a  renovated  building  and  an 
earnest  membership. 

Schools. — The  most  important  school  is  that  for  girls,  in 
charge  of  Mrs.  C.  H.  Irvin.  This  was  opened  as  a night 
school  for  little  girls  in  1896,  and  has  been  carried  on  ever 
since.  Three  of  the  girls  have  been  trained  by  Mrs.  Irvin  as 
teachers,  and  the  gift  of  a building  by  American  and  Korean 
friends  made  it  possible  to  open  in  1908  a Girls’  Normal  and 
Boarding  School,  which  promises  to  become  a centre  of  good 
influences  for  all  southern  Korea. 

There  are  a number  of  primary  schools  in  Fusan  and  other 
towns.  Boys  who  desire  higher  education  go  to  the  Boys’ 
Academy  at  Taiku. 

Medical  Work,  under  Dr.  C.  FI.  Irvin,  dates  from  1893.  'Ijhe 
Junkin  Memorial  Hospital,  built  by  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Montclair,  N.  J.,  and  the  Mary  Collins  Whiting 
Dispensary,  relieve  many  thousands  of  sufferers  each  year. 

An  Asylum  for  Lepers  has  recently  been  opened  just  across 
the  bay  from  the  hospital  by  the  Mission  to  Lepers,  Edin- 
burgh. Dr.  Irvin  has  charge  of  this,  going  back  and  forth  in 
a motor  launch.  This  is  the  only  institution  of  the  kind  in 
Korea. 

Taiku,  the  capital  of  N.  Kveng-Sang  Province,  is 
TAIKU  the  third  city  of  the  empire,  with  a population  of 
1898  about  64,000.  It  lies  in  a beautiful  rolling  country, 
dotted  with  thatch-roofed  villages,  set  among  fields 
of  rice  and  barley.  Our  mission  is  the  only  one  in  this  large 


THE  MISSION’S  IN  KOREA. 


23 


and  populous  province.  The  work  has  grown  very  rapidly 
even  for  Korea ; the  adherents  practically  doubling  in  numbers 
every  year.  The  city  church  has  an  average  attendance  of 
700-800,  and  is  rejoicing  in  the  large  new  building  made 
necessary  by  its  growth. 

More  than  100  congregations  are  reported  in  the  province. 

The  officers  of  nearly  all  these,  about  200  men  in  all,  met  in 
Taiku  in  December,  1907,  for  Bible  study  and  conference. 
The  meeting  gave  a marked  impetus  to  the  Christian  life  of 
the  churches.  A men’s  Bible  class  of  500  members,  held  the 
same  year,  was  marked  by  unusual  manifestations  of  spiritual 
power.  After  the  class  closed,  the  city  church  held  meetings 
for  ten  days,  with  great  profit  and  blessing. 

Medical  work  was  begun  at  the  opening  of  the  station,  and 
a small  hospital  was  given  by  a friend.  This  was  afterwards 
destroyed  by  a cyclone,  and  the  prolonged  illness  and  absence 
of  the  resident  physician  delayed  its  re-establishment.  A new 
hospital  was  completed  in  1907  through  the  kindness  of  the 
same  friend.  Large  numbers  of  patients  come  from  all  parts 
of  the  province. 

Schools. — An  academy  opened  in  1906  for  boys  and  young 
men  is  the  only  institution  of'  the  kind  in  the  provinces  of 
North  and  South  Kyung-Sang.  Many  of  the  pupils  come 
from  Fusan.  A good  building  was  erected  in  1908,  and  the 
future  of  the  school  is  most  promising. 

Throughout  the  province,  primary  schools  are  rapidly  in- 
creasing in  number  and  efficiency.  A normal  school  is  held 
yearly  to  instruct  the  primary  teachers  in  geography,  arith- 
metic and  pedagogy. 

North  and  South  Chung  Chong  are  known  as 
CHONG  JU  the  “gentleman  provinces,”  being  the  centre  of 

1908  the  highest  culture  and  the  best  type  of  the  lan- 
guage. The  two  provinces  contain  about  1,500.- 
000  people.  Chong  Ju,  fifteen  miles  from  the  railroad  and 
nearly  midway  between  Seoul  and  Taiku,  is  the  capital  of  the 
northern  province.  Rev.  F.  S.  Miller  made  many  visits  from 
Seoul,  and  has  resided  in  Chong  Ju  since  T905.  Other 
pioneers  were  compelled  to  leave  because  of  ill  health,  and  the 
formal  opening  of  the  station  was  delayed  until  T908. 


24 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


The  congregation  numbers  about  200,  and  most  of  them 
attend  the  Sunday-school.  The  country  work  reaches  over 
40  congregations,  14  of  which  have  church  buildings.  Train- 
ing classes  for  the  helpers,  both  men  and  women,  are  held 
frequently.  The  women  are  especially  commended  for  their 
energy  and  zeal. 

School  work  was  much  hindered  by  the  political  troubles  of 
1907,  but  is  now  reviving.  The  Christians  have  built  a good 
school  house,  and  pay  half  the  salary  of  an  excellent  Christian 
teacher,  who  has  given  up  an  official  position  to  take  the  boys' 
school.  There  is  also  a good  school  for  girls,  and  several  day- 
schools  in  the  villages. 

Dr.  M.  M.  Null  had  begun  a promising  medical  work,  which 
was  broken  off  when  he  was  obliged  to  leave.  Dr.  Purviance 
has  taken  his  place,  and  a hospital  building  is  now  going  up. 

Pyeng  Yang,  the  capital  of  South  Pyeng  An 
PYENG  YANG  Province,  is  the  most  important  town  in 
1854  northern  Korea.  In  the  early  years  of  the  Ko- 

rean mission,  Rev.  S.  A.  Moffett  and  others  vis- 
ited the  city  at  intervals  and  baptized  a few  believers,  but  were 
not  allowed  to  reside  there.  In  1893  they  succeeded  in  buying  a 
house,  but  when  they  attempted  to  occupy  it,  the  authorities 
drove  them  out,  and  imprisoned  and  tortured  some  of  the 
Korean  Christians.  Through  the  intervention  of  the  Ameri- 
can and  British  ministers,  the  prisoners  were  released  and 
indemnity  secured. 

In  the  war  between  China  and  Japan  in  1894,  Pyeng  Yang 
was  the  scene  of  a great  battle.  Immediately  afterward,  Mr. 
Moffett  and  Mr.  Lee,  with  Dr.  Hall  of  the  Methodist  Mission, 
revisited  the  place,  and  were  warmly  welcomed  by  all  classes. 
The  wonderful  spread  of  the  Gospel  since  that  time  in  North- 
ern Korea  is  without  a parallel  in  the  history  of  modern  mis- 
sions. In  the  territory  of  this  one  station  are  nearly  300 
congregations,  with  about  7,000  communicants,  and  twice  that 
number  of  catechumens  and  adherents.  The  stations  of  Sven 
Chun,  Chai  Ryong  and  Kang  Kai  now  cover  part  of  the  terri- 
tory originally  attached  to  Pyeng  Yang. 

A Home  Missionary  Society,  managed  and  supported  by 
the  native  churches,  sends  evangelists  all  through  the  province. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


25 


The  Methodist  Church  North  also  has  a strong  mission  in 
Pveng  Yang.  This  mission  and  our  own  co-operate  heartily 
in  all  enterprises  where  united  action  is  feasible,  and  strive  to 
distribute  their  efforts  so  that  no  energy'  shall  be  wasted. 

Pveng  Yang  City  is  the  centre  of  all  Christia'n  work  for 
Northern  Korea.  The  Central  Church,  the  first  one  founded 
in  the  city,  has  sent  off  three  large  colonies  since  1903,  and 
will  soon  establish  a fourth  one  in  the  western  part  of  the  city. 
The  building  holds  1,500  people,  and  it  is  so  crowded  that  the 
men  and  the  women  have  to  meet  at  different  hours.  The 
weekly  prayer  meeting  has  an  attendance  of  more  than  1,000. 
A Church  Association  building  in  the  business  district  has  a 
reading  room,  with  the  best  Korean  and  Chinese  books  and 
newspapers,  a lecture  room  for  meetings  and  Bible  classes,  a 
book-shop,  and  bath  rooms.  A night  school  is  held  for  busi- 
ness men.  , 

The  zeal  of  Korean  Christians  for  Bible  study  is  astonishing. 
The  Sunday  morning  service  is  usually  devoted  to  it,  and  every 
Christian  is  present.  Other  classes  for  men  and  women  of 
the  city  are  held  at  stated  times,  with  hundreds  in  attendance. 
Every  January'  a class  is  held  for  country'  men  only.  Last 
year  there  were  900  present,  coming  from  long  distances  at 
their  own  expense,  and  when  the  allotted  time  had  expired, 
fifty  men  insisted  on  staying  two  weeks  longer  for  further 
instruction.  The  classes  for  country  women  are  almost  as 
largely  attended.  In  addition  to  the  work  in  the  city,  mis- 
sionaries conduct  such  classes  in  central  places  throughout 
the  circuits. 

Medical  Work. — Dr.  J.  Hunter  Wells  has  been  the  efficient 
physician  here  since  1896.  The  cramped  and  unsuitable  quar- 
ters formerly  occupied  were  replaced  in  1906  by  a new  hospital 
building,  given  by  Mrs.  Ladd,  of  Portland,  Oregon.  Some 
wards  are  fitted  up  in  foreign  style,  others  are  entirely  Korean. 
W ith  the  improved  accommodations  and  equipment,  a trained 
American  nurse,  and  a staff  of  Korean  assistants,  it  is  now 
possible  to  undertake  serious  surgical  work.  The  physicians 
of  the  Methodist  Mission  have  participated  so  largely  in  the 
work  of  the  hospital  that  it  has  been  practically,  though  not 
formally,  a union  institution.  About  10,000  patients  annually 


26 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


are  reported  from  the  hospital  and  dispensary.,  besides  hun- 
dreds reached  in  itinerating  tours. 

Schools. — The  demand  for  modern  learning  among  the 
Christians  of  North  Korea  is  such  that  Pveng  Yang  has  be- 
come the  centre  of  our  institutions  for  higher  education.  The 
boys’  school,  begun  by  Mr.  Baird  some  years  ago,  grew  into 
Pveng  Yang  Academy,  which  graduated  its  first  class  in  1905. 
This  in  turn  has  developed  into  Pveng  Yang  College,  the  only 
one  for  Christians  in  all  Korea.  Two  young  men  were  gradu- 
aetd  in  1908.  This  college  is  sustained  unitedly  by  all  the1 
Presbyterian  Missions  and  the  Methodist  Missions.  The 
academic  department  is  preparatory  to  the  college  course. 
An  Industrial  Department,  founded  by  the  gifts  of  Mr.  Davis, 
of  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  makes  it  possible  for  students  to  sup- 
port themselves  while  studying.  The  superintendent  is  Mr. 
Robert  McMurtrie,  and  there  are  classes  in  printing,  carpen- 
tering and  blacksmithing.  About  400  pupils  are  enrolled  in 
the  different  departments  of  the  college,  all  of  them  Christians. 
New  and  larger  buildings  are  urgently  needed. 

The  Theological  School  for  all  the  Presbyterian  Missions 
of  Korea  is  also  conducted  at  Pveng  Y^ang,  with  the  assistance 
of  missionaries  from  other  stations.  A building  has  been 
given  by  a generous  friend,  and  will  soon  be  occupied. 
There  are  nearly  100  students.  The  first  class,  numbering 
seven,  was  graduated  in  1907. 

An  Advanced  School  for  Girls  and  Women  wras  opened  in 
1903.  with  43  students.  In  1906,  a union  with  the  Methodist 
Mission  was  arranged,  which  lessens  the  expenses  and  gives 
greater  advantages.  The  school  is  self-supporting  and  grows 
constantly,  in  spite  of  inadequate  accommodations.  The  girls 
do  the  work  of  the  boarding  department,  and  receive  thorough 
training  in  housekeeping.  Many  of  the  women  attending  are 
widows,  who  wish  to  devote  their  lives  to  Christian  work  as 
teachers  or  Bible  women.  The  first  class  was  graduated  in 
1908. 

A special  school  for  women  who  cannot  attend  daily  is  held 
twice  a week  from  October  to  May.  About  50  are  enrolled. 

Normal  classes  held  yearly  for  both  men  and  women  are 
made  necessary  by  the  insistent  demand  for  teachers  in  the 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


27 


country  schools.  There  are  more  than  100  of  these  primary 
schools,  all  self-supporting,  and  enrolling  nearly  4,000  pupils. 
When  we  remember  that  these  are  all  the  children  of  Christian 
parents,  and  that  the  schools  outside  of  the  churches  are  few 
in  number  and  very  inferior,  we  realize  what  an  opportunity 
for  influence  is  in  our  hands.  The  church  primary  and  gram- 
mar schools  in  Pveng  Yang  City  have  recently  been  re- 
organized, under  the  superintendence  of  a missionary,  assisted 
by  a Korean  elder,  and  twelve  competent  teachers  appointed. 
The  School  Board  is  appointed  bv  the  church  sessions.  The 
girls’  schools  are  under  a similar  arrangement. 

A small  school  for  the  blind  has  been  at  work  for  some 
years.  In  1907  the  hymn  book  and  the  New  Testament  in 
the  point  system  were  completed. 

The  great  increase  of  believers  in  the  out- 
CHAI  RYONG  stations  between  Pyeng  Yang  and  Seoul  made 
1906  it  necessary  to  establish  a new  station  in  a 

central  situation.  Chai  Ryong  is  a citv  of 
5,000  people,  fifteen  miles  west  of  the  railroad,  within  easy 
reach  of  about  100  country  churches.  Among  these  are  some 
congregations  which  Dr.  Underwood  founded  in  the  early  days 
of  Korean  missions.  Especially  worthy  of  note  is  the  Sorai 
Church,  which  will  always  be  famous  as  the  first  church  in 
Korea  to  become  self-supporting,  self-propagating,  and  self- 
governing.  Here  the  Koreans  erected  their  iirst  church 
building,  sent  out  their  first  evangelist,  and  here  the  first  elder 
of  the  Korean  Church  was  ordained — an  elder  who  has  now 
become  one  of  the  first  seven  ministers  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Korea.  All  these  churches  are  self-supporting,  and 
represent  perhaps  10,000  believers. 

The  city  church,  which  began  a few  years  ago  with  a Bible 
woman  and  her  little  band  of  listeners,  is  now  reioicing  in  a 
new  building,  which  will  seat  1,000  people.  The  city  is  divided 
into  eight  districts,  and  the  Christians  hold  regular  meetings 
in  each. 

Medical  IVork. — Much  of  the  growth  of  the  station  may  be 
traced  to  the  successful  work  of  Dr.  C.  H.  Whiting.  Begum 
with  most  insufficient  accommodations,  it  has  gained  a wide 


28 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


reputation,  and  is  now  installed  in  a commodious  cottage  hos- 
pital, the  gift  of  the  Madison  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church, 
New  York.  A class  of  capable  helpers  is  under  training. 

Schools. — Deep  interest  in  education  is  manifested  through- 
out the  province.  Forty-five  schools  are  reported,  all  self- 
supporting,  with  more  than  1,000  pupils.  The  academy  at 
Pyeng  Yang  supplies  the  need  for  higher  education. 

Syen  Chun  is  a small  town  ioo  miles  northwest 
SYEN  CHUN  of  Pyeng  Yang,  lying  in  a narrow  valley  of  the 
1901  mountain  spur,  about  five  miles  from  the  Yel- 

low Sea.  The  mission  property  is  on  a hill  at 
the  end  of  the  town.  In  1898,  when  Air.  Whittemore  made 
his  first  visit,  there  was  just  one  Christian  there.  Now  the 
upper  half  of  the  town  is  largely  Christian,  and  on  Sunday 
shops  are  closed,  the  streets  are  filled  with  streams  of  people 
going  to  church,  and  the  sight  of  any  daily  work  in  progress 
is  very  unusual.  The  large  new  church  seats  about  1,500,  and 
is  already  filled  to  its  utmost  limit.  The  men’s  Sunday-school 
numbers  800,  and  that  for  women  is  nearly  as  large.  Mr. 
Yang,  who  had  long  been  the  elder  of  this  church,  was  one  of 
the  seven  Koreans  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  1907,  and  is 
now  co-pastor  with  Mr.  Whittemore. 

Medical  Work.- — A dispensary  was  early  opened  by  Dr. 
Sharrocks,  which  did  much  good,  in  spite  of  small  and 
inconvenient  quarters.  A hospital,  given  by  the  Young  Peo- 
ple’s Societies  of  San  Francisco,  was  completed  in  1906.  The 
buildings  are  in  Korean  style,  and  so  well  managed  as  to  afford 
a constant  object-lesson  in  cleanliness,  order  and  beauty.  A 
class  of  student  assistants,  all  Christians  and  self-supporting, 
are  becoming  yearly  more  efficient  as  helpers.  One  excellent 
feature  is  a bath  house,  open  to  the  public  at  a small  charge. 

Schools. — The  Christians  of  this  station  have  shown  from 
the  beginning  a great  desire  for  education.  Day-schools  for 
boys  and  girls  date  from  the  opening  of  the  station.  A Boys’ 
Academy  was  opened  in  1906,  and  has  been  well  attended. 
An  Industrial  School  and  Farm,  the  “Hugh  O’Neill,  Jr., 
Memorial.”  has  been  recently  established  in  connection  with 
the  Academy.  The  Girls’  Academy  (1907)  closed  its  first  year 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


29 


with  forty  pupils.  The  primary  schools  are  over-crowded  and 
need  larger  quarters.  A night-school  is  held  for  laboring  men 
and  boys. 

At  Wi-ju  is  also  an  academy  for  boys  and  a girls’  school, 
both  supported  by  the  people.  The  demand  for  education 
has  become  so  imperative  that  every  one  of  the  hundred  and 
more  churches  in  the  country  districts  has  its  primary  school. 
With  the  rudiments  of  education,  the  boys  are  learning  obedi- 
ence, cleanliness  and  good  behavior.  The  people  are  realizing 
more  and  more  that  their  daughters  need  education  as  well  as 
their  sons.  The  opening  of  a girls’  school  in  connection  with 
a church  is  significant  of  a great  advance  in  the  religious  life  of 
the  people. 

Country  Work. — The  territory  dependent  upon  Syen  Chun 
station  includes  nearly  all  of  North  Pyeng  Yang  Province, 
stretching  away  some  400  miles  to  the  northeast.  The  move- 
ment towards  Christianity  that  began  in  1905  has  continued 
with  wonderful  power  in  this  province.  This  one  station  has 
now  more  churches  and  schools  than  the  whole  Korea  mission 
had  five  years  ago.  There  are  twenty-one  circuits,  each  under 
the  care  of  a helper.  The  six  counties  lying  on  the  Yellow 
Sea,  including  Wi-ju,  report  more  than  14,000  believers. 
These  counties  are  all  within  fifty  miles  of  Syen  Chun,  and 
are  easily  reached  from  the  railroad.  The  northeastern  part 
of  the  province  lies  in  the  hills  and  is  very  difficult  of  access. 
It  can  be  reached  only  on  horseback  or  on  foot,  in  journeys  of 
twelve  to  eighteen  days  from  Syen  Chun.  Yet  Christians  by 
the  hundred  are  found  in  these  isolated  valleys,  most  of  whom 
have  never  seen  a white  missionary.  It  is  a wonderful  testi- 
mony to  the  power  of  the  Bible  and  the  zeal  of  the  Korean 
Church. 

The  Korean  Home  Missionary  Society  employs  several 
men  constantly  in  this  region,  and  the  Syen  Chun  missionaries 
itinerate  as  widely  as  possible.  Great  dependence  is  placed 
on  the  training-classes,  which  are  held  at  the  chief  centres  in 
turn.  Such  a class  held  at  Syen  Chun  enrolled  1,180  men. 
The  helpers,  leaders  and  deacons  are  also  frequently  gathered 
in  conferences  for  study  and  prayer. 


30 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


A new  station  was  opened  in  1908  at  Kang  Kai, 
KANG  KAI  the  most  important  of  the  northern  points,  nine 
1908  days’  journey  from  Sven  Chun.  This  circuit  ex- 
tends over  into  Manchuria.  The  population  H 
not  large,  but  there  are  some  2,000  Christians  scattered  in  the 
mountain  villages. 

In  Kang  Kai  City,  the  church  has  been  twice  enlarged,  and 
now  a building  seating  1,200  is  needed. 

The  site  chosen  for  the  station  buildings  overlooks  the  city, 
and  has  a fine  view  of  the  mountains.  A hospital,  given  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  S.  Kennedy,  of  New  York,  and  two  resi- 
dences, are  now  in  progress. 

There  are  about  150,000  Japanese  in  Korea,  and 
WORK  FOR  their  numbers  are  constantly  increasing.  They 
JAPANESE  are  rapidly  becoming  the  dominant  influence  in 
many  districts.  Christian  work  is  imperatively 
needed  among  them.  Some  are  Christians,  and  need  to  be 
shepherded  and  strengthened.  The  only  hope  of  any  real 
unity  between  the  two  nations  is  in  the  power  of  a common 
Christianity.  For  some  years  the  Presbyterian  Council  has 
employed  a Japanese  evangelist  among  these  immigrants,  and 
several  others  have  been  sent  by  the  churches  of  Japan.  In 
1907,  Rev.  F.  S.  Curtis  and  Mrs.  Curtis,  of  the  West  Japan 
Mission,  were  sent  by  the  Board  to  work  among  the  Japanese 
in  Korea,  and  establish  churches  for  them  where  possible. 
They  travel  through  the  entire  field  twice  each  year,  visiting 
about  twenty-five  centres,  encouraging  the  little  groups  of 
believers  and  helping  them  to  secure  Japanese  leaders.  In 
Seoul  there  is  a prosperous  Presbyterian  church,  attended  by 
Chief  Justice  Watanabe,  head  of  the  courts  in  Korea,  and 
other  Japanese  of  position  and  influence.  At  Mokpo  the 
Town  Hall  was  open  to  them  for  meetings,  and  the  resident 
called  together  the  policemen  and  gendarmes  for  a service  at 
the  residency.  Every  effort  is  made  to  bring  the  Japanese 
and  Koreans  into  brotherly  relations. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


31 


STATIONS  AND  MISSIONARIES,  1909. 

Seoul  (1884),  the  capital;  population  about  300,000. — Rev.  H.  G.  Un- 
derwood, D.  D.,  and  Mrs.  Underwood,  M.  D.,  Rev.  J.  S.  Gale,  D.  D., 
O.  R.  Avison,  M.  D.,  and  Mrs.  Avison,  Miss  K.  C.  Wambold,  Miss  E.  L. 
Shields,  Rev.  A.  G.  Welbon  and  Mrs.  Welbon,  Rev.  E.  H.  Miller  and 
Mrs.  Miller,  Rev.  C.  A.  Clark  and  Mrs.  Clark,  Rev.  A.  A.  Pieters  and 
Mrs.  Pieters,  M.  D.,  J.  W.  Hirst,  M.  D.,  and  Mrs.  Hirst,  Rev.  M.  W. 
Greenfield  and  Mrs.  Greenfield,  Miss  S.  A.  Heron,  Miss  H.  I.  Taylor, 
Rev.  Henry  W.  Latnpe,  Rev.  R.  O.  Reiner  and  Mrs.  Reiner,  Mr.  John  F. 
Genso,  Miss  Anna  R.  Mills,  Rev.  George  H.  Winn. 

Fusan  (1893),  210  miles  southeast  of  Seoul;  nearest  port  to  Japan, 
terminus  of  Seoul-Fusan  Railroad — C.  H.  Irvin,  M.  D.,  and  Mrs.  Irvin, 
Rev.  W.  E.  Smith  and  Mrs.  Smith. 

Pyeng  Yang  (1894),  ancient  capital  of  the  northern  kingdom,  125 
miles  northwest  of  Seoul,  largest  church  centre  under  the  Board  ; popu- 
lation, 60,000 — Rev.  S.  A.  Moffett,  D.  D.,  and  Mrs.  Moffett,  M.  D.,  Rev. 
•W.  M.  Baird.  Ph.D.,  and  Mrs.  Baird,  Rev.  Graham  Lee  and  Mrs.  Lee, 
'Rev.  W.  L.  Swallen  and  Mrs.  Swallen,  J.  H.  Wells,  M.  D.,  and  Mrs. 
\\  ells,  Miss  Margaret  Best,  Rev.  C.  F.  Bernheisel  and  Mrs.  Bernheisel, 
Miss  V.  I-  Snook,  Rev.  W.  N.  Blair  and  Mrs.  Blair,  Rev.  G.  S.  McCune 
and  Mrs.  McCune,  Miss  A.  M.  Butts,  Mr.  Robert  McMurtrie. 

Taiku  (1899),  population,  60,000;  77  miles  inland  from  Fusan — -Rev. 
J.  E.  Adams  and  Mrs.  Adams,  W.  O.  Johnson.  M.  D.,  and  Mrs.  Johnson, 
Rev.  H.  M.  Bruen  and  Mrs.  Bruen,  Rev.  E.  F.  McFarland  and  Mrs. 
McFarland,  Rev.  W.  C.  Erdman  and  Mrs.  Erdman,  Rev.  C.  C.  Sawtell 
and  Mrs.  Sawtell,  Rev.  Tohn  U.  S.  Toms  and  Mrs.  Toms,  Miss  Mabel 
Rittgers,  Miss  Blanche  Essick. 

Syen  Chun  (1901),  about  225  miles  northwest  of  Seoul — Rev.  N.  C. 
Whittemore  and  Mrs.  Whittemore,  Miss  M.  L.  Chase,  Rev.  Cyril  Ross 
and  Mrs.  Ross,  M.  D.,  A.  M.  Sharrocks,  M.  D.,  and  Mrs.  Sharrocks, 
Miss  Jennie  Samuels,  Rev.  S.  L.  Roberts  and  Mrs.  Roberts. 

Chat  Ryong  (1006),  140  miles  northwest  of  Seoul.  60  miles  southwest 
of  Pyeng  Yang— Rev.  W.  B.  Hunt  and  Mrs.  Hunt.  Rev.  C.  E.  Sharp  and 
Mrs.  Sharp.  Rev.  F..  W.  Koons  and  Mrs.  Koons,  Rev.  H.  C.  Whiting, 
M.  D.,  and  Mrs.  \\  biting,  Rev.  W.  C.  Kerr,  Miss  Katherine  McCune. 

Chong  Tu  fiooyj,  about  50  miles  south  of  Seoul — Rev.  F.  S.  Miller 
and  Mrs.  Miller,  Rev.  Edwin  Kagin,  W.  C.  Purviance,  M.  D.,  and  Mrs. 
Purviance,  Rev.  \\  elling  T.  Cook  and  Mrs.  Cook,  Miss  Anna  S.  Doriss. 

Kang  Kai  fiooSL  12  davs’  journey  northeast  of  Sven  Chun — Rev.  H. 
E.  Rlair  and  Mrs.  Blair.  Ralph  G.  Mills,  M.  D„  and  Mrs.  Mills,  Rev.  H. 
A.  Rhodes  and  Mrs.  Rhodes. 

Reinforcements  for  Korean  Mission.  1909— Rev.  R.  E.  Winn  and  Mrs. 
\\  inn,  Rev.  J.  Y.  Crothers,  Rev.  J.  G.  Holcroft.  Rev.  E.  M.  Mowry  and 
Mrs.  Mowry,  A.  G.  Fletcher,  M.  D..  Miss  E.  E.  Plummer,  Miss  G.  L. 
Davis,  Miss  A.  M.  McKee,  Miss  L.  Campbell.  Miss  M.  Mackenzie, 
Miss  H.  S.  Helstrom. 

_ For  names  of  new  missionaries  and  changes  at  stations,  consult  the 
f ear  Book  of  Prayer,  issued  annually. 


32 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


STATISTICS,  1909. 


Missionaries  (8  physicians) . . 99 

Korean  preachers  131 

Other  workers  736 

Stations  and  out-stations 536 


Communicants  19,654 

Adherents  and  catechumens. 70, 000 
Schools,  764;  pupils,  12,264 
Hospitals,  6;  dispensaries,  6; 
patients,  47,824 


BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE. 

A Forbidden  Land.  E.  Oppert  (1880).  $5.00. 

Choson.  Percival  Lowell  (1885).  $3.00. 

Daybreak  in  Korea.  Baird  (1909).  60  cents. 

Everyday  Life  in  Korea.  D.  L.  Gifford  (1898).  $1.25. 

Ewa : A Tale  of  Korea.  Noble  (1906).  $1.25. 

Fifteen  Years  Among  the  Topknots.  Mrs.  H.  G.  Underwood  (1908). 
Second  Edition.  $1.50. 

Korea  and  Her  Neighbors.  Mrs.  I.  Bird  Bishop  (1897).  $2.00. 

Korea  from  Its  Capital.  Rev.  G.  W.  Gilmore  (1892).  $1.25. 

Korea  in  Transition.  Rev.  James  S.  Gale  (1908).  50  cents. 

Korea,  the  Hermit  Nation.  W.  E.  Griffis  (1882).  $3.50. 

Korea:  the  Land,  People  and  Customs.  (1907.)  35  cents. 

Report  of  a Visitation  of  the  Korea  Mission.  Rev.  Arthur  J.  Brown 
(1902). 

The  Call  of  Korea.  Rev.  H.  G.  Underwood  (1908).  75  cents. 

The  Nearer  and  Farther  East.  Arthur  J.  Brown,  D.  D.  (1908L  50  cts. 
The  Passing  of  Korea.  Prof.  H.  B.  Hulbert  (1906).  $3.80. 

The  Vanguard.  Rev.  J.  S.  Gale  (1904).  $1.50. 

Things  Korean.  Horace  N.  Allen,  M.  D.  (1908).  $1.25. 

With  Marquis  Ito  in  Korea.  Prof.  G.  T.  Ladd  (1908).  $2.50. 

With  Tommy  Tompkins  in  Korea.  Mrs.  H.  G.  Underwood  (1905).  $1.25. 


THE  MISSIONS  IN  KOREA. 


33 


MISSIONARIES  IN  KOREA.  1884-1909. 


* Died  while  connected  with  the  Mission. 

Adams,  Rev.  J.  E 1895- 

Adams,  Mrs 1895- 

Allen,  H.  N.,  M.  D 1884-1890 

Allen,  Mrs 1884-1890 

Arbuckle,  Miss  V.  C 1892-1896 

Avison,  O.  R.,  M.  D 1893- 

Avison,  Mrs 1893- 

Baird,  Rev.  W.  M 1890- 

Baird,  Mrs 1890- 

Barrett,  Miss  M.  B 1901-1908 

Barrett,  Rev.  W.  M 1901-1907 

Barrett,  Mrs 1904-1907 

Bemheisel,  Rev.  C.  F 1900- 

Bernheisel,  Mrs.  (Miss 

Kirkwood)  1903- 

Best,  Miss  Margaret. ..  .1897- 

Blair,  Rev.  W.  N 1901- 

Blair,  Mrs 1901- 

Blair,  Rev.  H.  E 1904- 

Blair,  Mrs 1907- 

Brown,  H.  M.,  M.  D 1891-1805 

Brown,  Mrs 1891-1895 

Brown,  Miss  M.  E 1903-1906 

Bruen,  Rev.  H.  M 1899- 

Bruen,  Mrs 1901- 

Bunker,  Mrs.,  M.  D 1886-1888 

Butts,  Miss  A.  M 1907- 

Cameron,  Miss  C 1905-1908 

Campbell,  Miss  L 1909- 

Chase,  Miss  M.  L 1896- 

Clark,  Rev.  C.  A 1902- 

Clark,  Mrs 1902- 

Cook,  Rev.  W.  T 1908- 

Cook,  Mrs 1908- 

Crothers,  Rev.  J.  Y 1909- 

Davis,  Miss  G.  L 1909- 

Doriss,  Miss  A.  S 1908- 

Erdman,  Rev.  W.  C 1906- 

Erdman,  Mrs.  (Miss 

Winn)  1906- 

Essick,  Miss  B.  L 1908- 

Fletcher,  A.  G.,  M.  D 1909- 

Gale,  Rev.  J.  S 1892- 

Gale,  Mrs.  (Mrs.  J. 

Heron)  1885-1908 

Genso,  John  F 1908- 

*Gifford,  Rev.  D.  L 1888-1900 

*Gifford,  Mrs.  (Miss 

Hayden)  1888-1900 


Figures,  term  of  Service  in  the  Field. 

Greenfield,  Rev.  M.  W. ..1907- 

Greenfield,  Mrs 1907- 

Hall,  Rev.  Ernest  F 1903-1908 

Hall,  Mrs.  (Miss  Mac- 

lear)  1904-1908 

Helstrom,  Miss  H 1909- 

*Heron,  John,  M.  D 1885-1890 

Heron,  Miss  S.  A 1907- 

Hirst,  J.  M.,  M.  D 1904- 

Hirst,  Mrs.  (Miss 

Harbaugh ) 1906- 

Holdcroft,  Rev.  J.  J 1909- 

Hunt,  Rev.  W.  B 1897- 

*Hunt,  Mrs.  (Miss 

Finley)  1898-1905 

Hunt,  Mrs 1906- 

Irvin,  C.  H.,  M.  D 1893- 

Irvin,  Mrs 1893- 

*Jacobson,  Miss  A.  P. . .1895-1897 
Johnson,  W.  O.,  M.  D...1897- 

Johnson,  Mrs 1897- 

*Johnson,  Rev.  W.  V. ..  1902-1903 

*Tohnson,  Mrs 1902-1903 

Kagin,  Rev.  E.  A 1907- 

Kearns,  Rev.  C.  E 1902-1907 

Kearns,  Mrs 1902-1907 

Kerr,  Rev.  W.  C 1908- 

Koons,  Rev.  E.  Wade...  1903- 

Koons,  Mrs 1908- 

Lampe,  Rev.  H.  W 1908- 

*Leck,  Rev.  George 1900-1901 

Leek,  Mrs 1900-1903 

Lee,  Rev.  Graham  ...  .1892- 

Lee,  Mrs 1893- 

Mackenzie,  Miss  M 1909- 

McCune,  Rev.  G.  S 1905- 

McCune,  Mrs 1905- 

McCune,  Miss  K 1908- 

McFarland,  Rev.  F'.  F. ..1904- 

McFarland,  Mrs 1905- 

McKee,  Miss  A.  M 1909- 

McMurtrie,  Robert  ....  1907- 

Miller  , Rev.  F.  S 1892- 

*MiIler,  Mrs 1892-1903 

Miller,  Mrs.  (Miss  S. 

Doty)  1889- 

Miller,  Rev.  E.  H 1901- 

Miller,  Mrs.  (Miss 
Henry)  1901- 


34 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF 


Mills,  R.  G.,  M.  D 1908- 

Mills,  Mrs 1008- 

Mills,  Miss  A.  R 1908- 

Moffett,  Rev.  S.  A 1889- 

Moffett,  Mrs.  (Dr.  Fish). 1897- 

*Moore,  Rev.  S.  F 1892-1906 

Moore,  Mrs 1892-1906 

Mowry,  Rev.  E.  M 1909- 

Mowry,  Mrs 1009- 

Null,  M.  M.,  M.  D 1903-1907 

Null,  Mrs.,  M.  D 1903-1907 

Pieters,  Rev.  A.  A 1902- 

*Pieters,  Mrs 1902-1905 

Pieters,  Mrs.  (Eva  Field, 

M.  D.)  1897- 

Plummer,  Miss  E.  F. ...1909- 
Purviance,  W.  C.,  M.  D..1908- 

Purviance,  Mrs 1908- 

Reiner,  Rev.  Ralph  O..  .1908- 

Reiner,  Mrs 1908- 

Rhodes,  Rev.  H.  A 1908- 

Rhodes,  Mrs 1908- 

Rittgers,  Miss  C.  M 1908- 

Roberts,  Rev.  S.  L 1907- 

Roberts,  Mrs 1907- 

Ross,  Rev.  Cyril 1897- 

Ross,  Mrs.,  M.  D 1897- 

Samuels,  Miss  J 1902- 

Sawtell,  Rev.  C.  C 1907- 

Sawtell,  Mrs 1907- 

Sharp,  Rev.  C.  E 1900- 

Sharp,  Mrs.  (Miss 
Howell)  1900- 


Sharrocks,  A.  M.,  M.D.  .1899- 

Sharrocks,  Mrs 1899- 

Shields,  Miss  E.  L 1897- 

Sidebotham,  Rev.  R.  H..  1899-1908 

Sidebotham,  Mrs 1899-1909 

Smith,  Rev.  W.  E 1902- 

Smith,  Mrs 1902- 

Snook,  Miss  V.  L 1900- 

Strong,  Miss  Ellen 1892-190 2 

Swallen,  Rev.  W.  L 1891- 

Swallen,  Mrs 1892- 

Taylor,  Miss  H.  I.. 1908- 

Toms,  Rev.  J.  U.  S 1908- 

Toms,  Mrs 1908- 

Underwood,  Rev.  H.  G.  .1884- 
Underwood,  Airs.  (Dr. 

Lilian  S.  Horton) 1887- 

Vinton,  C.  C.,  Ad.  D 1891-1907 

*Vinton,  Mrs 1891-1903 

Wambold,  Miss  C.  C 1896- 

Welhon,  Rev.  A.  G 1900- 

Welbon,  Mrs.  (Miss 

Nourse)  1899- 

Wells,  J.  H.,  M.  D 1895- 

Wells,  Airs 1896- 

Whiting,  Aliss  G. E., Ad. D.  1895-1900 

Whiting,  H.  C,  Al.D 1903- 

Whiting,  Mrs 1903- 

Whittemore,  Rev.  N.  C.  .1896- 

Whittemore,  Airs.  1906- 

Winn,  Rev.  G.  II 1908- 

Winn,  Rev.  Roger  E 1909- 

Winn.  Airs 1909- 


wmm 


